Sunday, 1,000 kids from North Las Vegas were outfitted with supplies for the upcoming school year, thanks to some emergency responders.

Members of the North Las Vegas Police and Fire Departments held a back to school event. There was a jump house, pony rides and tours of police cars and fire trucks.

The first 1,000 elementary students received schools supplies — including backpacks, paper, pencils, pens, folders and rulers.

Officers say it's a chance for them to meet and help the community they serve.

Cheyenne High School will give reading proficiency tests to incoming ninth graders during the month of August.

The tests will determine what level of reading classes students will be assigned to based on their performance.

Cheyenne is the only Clark County high school that requires all ninth graders to take reading for an elective credit.

The first test-taking opportunity will be Aug. 14, starting at 4 p.m. in the Cheyenne High School Library, 3200 West Alexander Road, North Las Vegas.

The second opportunity will be on Aug. 21 during the Freshman Barbecue at the school. Click here for a schedule of the testing.

Two years after a propane tank blew sky high in a North Las Vegas neighborhood, residents are voicing concern that the same thing could happen if a new 30,000 gallon tank is installed.

The fire started at Pro-Flame Gas and spread next door to Amerigas creating an inferno that sent propane canisters flying through the air. Now, Amerigas wants to rebuild its propane storage tank that was destroyed in the July 2006 fire.

The company insists everything's safe but some neighbors say they are concerned about the possibility of another fire happening.

The propane explosion shook North Las Vegas long and hard lighting up the valley and burning for 21 hot hours.

“My kids just told me, it was a big fall of fire,” said Joann Wireman, concerned resident. She was gone during the explosion but the blast rocked her entire world.

“It was a real headache. You don't expect to come back and have to repair your home,” she said.  Her home's stucco cracked so badly that she had to add new siding and her double-pane windows shattered. Wireman says the incident amounted to a $15,000 headache for her.

Amerigas wants to rebuild its 30,000 gallon propane storage tank. The city of North Las Vegas has given its initial go-ahead for the project.

“I think a lot of folks realize that Amerigas was truly a victim in this case,” said David Vance, local manager for Amerigas. He says their tanks are safe. 

“Yes, yes, it is not uncommon, not only in Las Vegas, but in other parts of the different states. In some states, it's even right in the neighborhoods,” Vance added saying that Amerigas also plans to build a fire suppression system for the tank.

“Similar to the sprinklers inside of a building, if something were to occur, the sprinklers would come on immediately,” he said.

Wireman is still worried about living near potential danger.

“You can't guarantee safety when something blows up. Tell me, what is safe if something blows? how safe can it be when you're right in their backyard?”

Only one person has submitted a formal complaint to the city regarding the rebuilding of the tank. The proposal approved Wednesday night will go to the full city council for approval.

Las Vegas is often thrust into the headlines when it comes to our connection to major national stories. From polygamist leader Warren Jeffs to O.J. Simpson, many road leads here. Now a Las Vegas native is part of the investigation of army biologist Bruce Ivins, the man the FBI believes is behind the deadly anthrax attacks in 2001.

All of Clark Pennington's life, he only had one dream.

“He always wanted to be a cop since the time he was a little boy,” shares his mother, Darlene Koschene. “Dress up as a policeman. He had guns and holsters.”

After graduating from Western High School, Clark set out to make his dream a reality. He signed up for Metro's police academy.

“They told him at the time he was one of the top scorers,” said Koschene.

Even with high marks, the academy thought he wasn't ready.

“It was disappointing because that's were I saw myself… working for Metro,” said Lt. Clark Pennington of the Frederick Maryland Police Department.

“He found another way,” said Koschene.

This new direction lead him to six years as an army military police officer. “God must have had a different plan for me,” said Pennington.

That divine plan sent him on a 2,500 mile journey where he started a family and a new relationship with the Frederick, Maryland police department. His mother says all of Clark's dreams have come true.

“I was pretty excited for him,” she said. 

Now, the Frederick police department is at the center of one of the biggest domestic terrorism cases in the country – Bruce Ivins, the army biologist accused in the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people and infected 17, lived in Lt. Pennington's city.

He killed himself leaving the city of Frederick looking to Pennington for answers. “It's pretty hectic. We are putting in a lot of hours, making sure we get out info,” he said.

He hopes his story motivates other Clark County kids to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“If at first you don't get what you are looking for, keep looking because there are always other opportunities,” he said.

“He has done a great job and is a great man,” said Koschene.

Lt. Pennington says the death investigation of the Bruce Ivin is still ongoing until they get official confirmation on his cause of death. Although Pennington started a new life in Maryland, he says Las Vegas is still home. He will be back in a few months a visit his mother and father.

Email your comments to Reporter Travell Eiland.